Andrea Berta might have made his first transfer error as Arsenal continue to pursue two striker targets.
The Gunners have been linked to both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, who impressed at their respective clubs over 2024/25.
Berta likes Gyokeres as Arsenal’s admiration for the Swede was reported shortly after the Italian’s arrival in N5.
That being said, it’s Sesko who was considered to be Arsenal’s primary target, which is where the sporting director’s first slip-up might have occurred.
There are doubts over Arsenal signing Gyokeres despite the 27-year-old finding the net 54 times over the 2024/25 calendar.
Concerns come due to the Sweden international hitting form outside of Europe’s top five leagues, becoming a seasoned scorer in the Championship at Coventry City before moving to the Portuguese league to represent Sporting CP.
The gap between the Premier League and those outside of Europe’s top five is quite staggering, which is why some consider Sesko to be a smarter target.
There was confidence that Arsenal would land Sesko; however, there has since been a stall in talks due to a dispute over potential salary.
The Sun reported the stumbling block over a possible transfer for Sesko and also revealed one mistake that Berta might have made during the pursuit.
It’s claimed that Gyokeres is ‘already realising’ that he is not Arsenal’s first-choice number nine, which could come back to haunt the Gunners.
Making a target feel wanted is paramount in negotiations, and with plenty of clubs interested in acquiring Gyokeres’ signature, Berta might have fumbled by pursuing both players simultaneously.
Berta has been in contact with Gyokeres’ representatives, but the striker knows he’s behind Sesko on Arsenal’s wishlist.
Interestingly, the situation is something the Gunners were warned about not long ago, as Perry Groves stressed the importance of making Gyokeres feel wanted.
“If I were Arsenal, I’d be going, transfer window is open, let’s get this done, prove to the player how much you want him,” the Arsenal icon said on talkSPORT, before comparing the situation to Arsene Wenger’s mishap involving Luis Suarez.
“We had it with Suarez, Arsene Wenger got stick but it wasn’t him that actually made that bid, he said that’s disrespectful to the player because you’re not showing the player how much you want him.
“If his release clause is £40m, bid £50m. It shows the player how much you want him to come to your club.”
Groves flagged the danger of not making Gyokeres feel desired, and now, it’s reported that the Swede is aware of not being top of the list.
It remains to be seen how Arsenal approach the situation and whether ties with the Swede can be maintained, in what is a decisive time for Berta.
